who we are
History
ZAFA Wines LLC – founded in 2018 by Krista Scruggs and located in Isle La Motte, Vermont - has become one of the pioneers in the "New American" wine revival. Making waves with our traditional methods, ZAFA is reframing the conversation around sustainability in wine. We ferment grapes and other fruits into sparkling wines using native fermentation and a 0/0 ethos.
In 2020 Krista embarked on the path to ownership of a 56-acre farm on Isle la Motte where ZAFA can grow. The Vermont Land Trust (VLT) bought the farm and is leasing it to Krista, wherein she will purchase the farm from them within 3-5 years. VLT’s strategy to buy and hold farms in transition for 3–5 years, giving farmers like Krista more runway to build their businesses so they’re financially stronger when they buy the land. The purchase was made possible by the Michael Colbert Farmland Fund, created by Michael’s family to honor his legacy of farm conservation and to help farmers to access farmland.
Upon purchasing the land from the VLT, the ownership of the farm in Isle La Motte will make Krista the 18th Black land-owning farmer in Vermont. In America, only 1.3% of farm owners are Black. Working with her seven-person team, Krista’s already planted 2,000 vines in Isle La Motte. She plans to grow food, tap maples, raise livestock, and convert the farmhouse into a winery and tasting room. Like ZAFA’s wines, everything will come from the land or the neighboring community
zafa name
ZAFA a literary reference to the novel “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Díaz.
Zafa is a powerful counterspell against fukú, the intergenerational curse of colonization. According to Díaz, fukú is “the perfect blend of bad luck mixed with mayhem that one could fall into or get thrown at by the biggest sorcerer: life.” Zafa is represented in the spirit of the golden mongoose, seen represented throughout our website and merch. ZAFA embraces the mythology of this counterspell, attempting to undo harm and promote the redemption of our minds, hearts, and land.
Logo designed by @deicreative